Thread cutter for looms



Sep- 3, 1929- o.-v. PAYNE Er AL 1,726,763

THREAD CUTTERYV FOR LOOMS Filed NOV. 16, 1927 Patented Slept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR V. PAYNE AND RICHARD Gr. TURNER, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, AS-SIGNORS TO CROMPTON & KNOWLES LOOM WORKS, OFWORCESTER, MASSACHU- SETTS,A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

THREAD CUTTER FOR LOOMS.

Application filed November 16, 1927.

This invention relates to thread cutters for automatic weft replenishinglooms more particularly though not necessarily of the mu ticolor typeand it is the general object of the invention to provide an improvedform of clamp which will insure contact with the cut thread throughoutthat part ofthe cutting movement which occurs after the thread is caughtin the clamp.

In co-pending application Ser. No. 127,695 there is shown a threadcutter mounted on the shuttle feeler of a multicolor weft replenishingloom, said cutter being operated by a rod which extends to a fixedpoint. The form of clamp shown in that application consists of a flatsteel spring between which and the movable cutter the cut thread iscaught. One spring is made to serve as a clamp and also to hold themovable cutter in proper relation with respect to the relatively fixedcutter and it has been found that it is a dificult matter to keep thesheet steel spring in suihciently close contact with all parts 0f themoving cutter' to insure retention of the thread should the latter. becut at a point close to the pivot of the cutter. It is an importantobject of our present invention to provide a thread clamp which isloosely lmounted on the shuttle feeler and free to assume varyingangularpositions with respect to the Amovable cutter throughout alimited range. in this connection we provide niountings for Jthe clampwhich permit the same normally to be yieldingly disposed at a slightangle with respect to the movable cutter, the clamp moving slightly in alateral direction as the cutter is moved from open to closed positionbyreason of the advancing point of contact between the clamp and thecutter. Vith the cutter thus disposed the thread will be held securelyno matter at what point' it is brought into contact with the clamp. Ifthe thread lies near the pivot of the movable cutter the spring actingon the clamp will hold the latter 1n contact with the thread even thoughthe part of the clamp remote from the pivot be constantly moving awayfrom the fixed cutter to malte room for the movable cutter, and thefarther the thread is from the pivot of the cutter the less Serial No.233,700.

the remaining angular movement of the clamp and therefore the morefavorable the conditions under which it is retained.

. It is a further object of our invention to provide a yielding devicesuch as a leaf spring which will engage the floating clamp at a pointintermediate its two points of supy mind it is a further object of ourinvention' to provide a clamping plate which may be readily removed fromthe cutter without disturbing the relation of the two cutting elements,this result preferably being achieved by having the stud and springwhich give pivotal support and expert pressure on the movable cutterpreferably extending through an opening in the clamp to afford one ofthe loose points of the support for the clamp.

With these and other objects in View which Will appear as thedescription proceeds, our invent-ion resides inthe combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter described and set forth. in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein one form of our invention is shown,

Fig. l is a side elevation of the lower portion of a multicolor weftreplenishing mechanism looking from the interior of the loom f withcertain parts in section,

Fig. 2` is an enlarged bottom plan taken in the direction of arrow 2,Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows the lower end of the shuttle feeler having the cutter inenlarged scale, and l Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section on line 44 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Referring to the drawings themagazine M has pivoted thereto a transferrer arm T to the lower end ofwhich is pivoted a latch L. A dagger D on the lay B comes intoengagement with the latch whenever the top shaft C is rocked. A shuttlefeeler holder' H is piivoted to the magazine frame and is connected tothe shaft C by a rod R and lever E secured to the shaft C. A shuttlefeeler F is adjustably secured in the holder H and is positioned forengagement with the shuttle S when the latter is improperly positionedon a transferring beat of the loom and with the back of the box G toreset the magazine. rlhe matter thus far described is of commonconstruction and substantially the same as set forth in prior patents toRyon No. 1,022,108 and 1,030,748.

The cutter includes a cutting blade 10 secured to the shuttle feeler bytwo bolts 12 and 13, respectively, stud 13 also forming the pivot forthe movable cutter blade 14. @aid cutter blade has an upwardly extendingarm 15 to which is pivoted the lower end of adjustable rod 16 the upperend of which moves around a fixed center indicated at 17. The pivot forthe holder H and the fixed pivot 17 are so related with respect to thestud 13 and the pivotal connection 13 between the rod 16 and movablecutter that as the shuttle feeler moves down from the full to the dottedline position shown in Fig, 1 the pivoted jaw or cutter member will moverelatively to the fixed cutter 'to assume the open position indicated indotted lines in Fig. 1. After transfer the back of the box G will engagethe shuttle feeler F to raise the same, whereupon the cutter will beclosed to sever Vthe weft lV. The operation of the cutter issubstantially the same as that set forth in the co-pending applicationSer. No. 127,695 tiled by Chevrette and the foregoing mattei' forms nopart of our present invention.

In carrying our invention into effect we provide the stud 13 with acollar 20 through which the set screw 13 extends. rl`he collar bearsagainst the movable cutter 14 and receives pressure from a compressionspring 21 which lies between the head Q2 of the screw 13 and saidcollar. The latter is preferably though not necessarily slightly largerin diameter than the head 22 A stud 23 is riveted to the shuttle feelerand has an enlarged shoulder portion 24 from which inwardly projects apin 25. As shown in Fig. 3 the pin 25 and screw 13 are preferably in aline substantially parallel to the cutting edge of the fixed cuttermember 10. rThe shoulder portion 2d has the surface thereof opposite thefixed cutter out of the plane of and below the upper surface of thepivoted cutter 14 as viewed in F 2.

The clamping member 2G is provided with two openings the larger of which27 is of sullicient size to pass both the head 22 and the collar 20while the smaller opening 2S is sufficiently large to receive the pin25, said openings being slightly larger than the parts which projectinto them for a reason to be explained. The clamp may be made with alower inclined. edge 20 which projects slightly below the adjacent partof the movable cutter, the upper portion of said clamp having a secondsimilarly inclined portion il() which is so related with the centers oflhc holes 27 and Q3 that the clamp may be rcversed with the inclinedsurfac 30 downwardly. The means for holding the clamp in proper positionincludes a sheet steel spring 31 secured h v screws 3&2 to the slnutlefseler F and having the lower edge thereof formed preferably as shown inFig. l with the point of Contact between the clamp 20 and said springbelow the line joining.; the centers of the screw 13 and pin Q53. saidspring applying its pressure between the two loose points of support forthe clamp.

The clamp is free to have a certain limited movement because of theloose lit aiiorded by the holes 0.7 and 28 and the clamp will as sume asliglitlf,7 inclined position with respect to the plane of action of thepivolied cutter when the latter open because of the tact Ilha theshoulder M is .slightly less: in thiclv'A than the combinedtliirlIIicss: of both ln operation the cutter will perform as previouslydescribed and more clearly sciv forth in the aforesaid Chevretteapplication. the clamp assuming the aforesaid slightly inclined positionrelatively to the pivoted ciuter 14 when the latter is in low position.As the shuttle fecler rises the pivoted cutter will sever the thread anda portion of the latter will extend upwardly7 between the clamp Q0 andthe cutter 1li as shown in Fig. `l. As the pivoted cutter continues tomove the clamp will straighten itself so as to be substantiall ivparallel to the plane in which the cutter moves, but because of theloose mounting of said clamp the latter will be held in close Contactwith the thread no matter at what point in the ascent of the cutter thethread was actually severed.

From the foregoing it will be secu that we have provided a ver); simpleform oll clamp which readily removable from 'the cutter withoutrequiring` the latter to bc disnuintled Furtlurmme, the clamp mountedfor limited floating movement with respect to the cutter so that it maybe held in Contact with the cut lilling even though there beconsiderable motion on the part of the cutter after the severance of thethread. Also, it will be seen that shoulder Q1 is so proportioned as lopermit the clamping member 20 to assume a slightly angular position withrespect to the pivotcd cutter l-land that said clamp moves to make roomfor the pivoted cutter against the action ol the spring 31, but in sucha wayv as to remain in contact with the cut filling. These re sult-s areachieved by having the said spring 31 exert its pressure on the clampedmember at a point between the screw 13 and pin 2 lui lill

Y ing or sheering of the weft thread.

' sure cutting of the thread but that the clamp is heldag'ainst thepivoted cutter by the action J.of leafspring ,31 only, this reducedlspring tensiononthe clamp prevent-ing fray- Having thus. described ourinvention it will be seen that changes and modifications may be madetherein Vby those skilled.. in the art without departing from, thespirit andy scopeof the,y inventionand we do. not wish,

to belimited tothe details herein disclosed, but what we claim is: -i ,Y

l. :In a thread cutteriandl clamp for a replveiiislii'ng loom'havingfashuttle feeler pivoted abovelandr behind thelay when the latter is.n-its' forwardposition rand having a cutting edgestationarywith.respect. to lthe shuttle feelera pivoted cutter having acut-, ting edge to cooperate .with theaforesaid cutting edge, .and meansto cause relative movenient .betweenl thecutterand the cutting edgeasthe shuttle feeler moves toward and from ber yieldingly yagainst thepivoted cutterto clamp the thread, 'and 'spaced'points of sup-` port,for said 4clamping member .fixed tothe shuttle feeler, saidy cuttingedge' of the pivotedv cutterbeing intermediate the supports, saidniembep :being lmovable, relative to the sup-4 ports and being guided bythelatter and said yieldingmeaiis lapplying its force to thev clampbetweeny the supports.

pivoted above and behind the'lay when the latter, is in its forwardposition and having :i cutting edge stationary with `respect to thevshuttle feeler, avpivotedcuttervhaving a .cutting-edge to cooperate withtheaforesaid cutting edge, andfineansto ,cause relativeI move-V mentbetween the cutter and` the .i cutting edge as rthef sliiittle feelerlmovestoward and from sliuttleffeelingy position, a .thread clampingloeselyfthrough said clamping member, said ciittinggedge. 1ofthe.pivoted vcutter lying intermediate the supporting elementsjand yieldingymeans i, exerting i pressure Ion r the {ihead- .Cutter @adl clamp i foia weft replenishing loom having a. shuttle feeler pivoted above andbehind; the lay when the latter is in its forward position and yhaving acutting edge stationary with respect to the shuttle feeler, a pivotedcutter having a cutting edge to cooperate with the aforesaidcutti-ngedge, and means to cause relative movement between the' cutterand the cutting edge as the shuttle feeler moves toward and from shuttlefeeling positon, a thread clamping membenadjacent the pivoted cutter, apair of spaced guiding and supporting elements for said clamp, joneofsaid supporting elements being the pivot about which they pivotedcutter moves, said supporting elements extending freely through theclamping member, said cutting edge ofthe pivoted cutter lyingintermediate the supportingelements, and resilient means exertingaforce'on the clampingmem'f4 ber between said supportsand tending tohold said clamping member againstthe pivoted cutter to clamp a thread..44. Infa threadcutter and clamp for a weft replenishing loom having ashuttle feeler pivoted above and behind the lay when the latter is inits forward position and having' ak cutting edge stationary with respecttothe shuttle feeler, a pivoted Ycutterto cooperate. with theaforesaid'cutting edge, and means to cause relative movement betwen lthecutter and f the cutting edge asthe shuttle feeleil moves toward andfrom shuttle feeling position, a thread clamping member adjacent thepivoted kcut-tema pair offspacedfsupporting'and guiding ielementsextending freely through said .clamping member, said elements havingclamping 'member engaging portions tollimit movement of the clampingmember toward the cuttingedge, said portions being at differentdistances from the cutting edge sov that the clamping member may assumean oblique position v relatively tov the cutting edge,.fand

yielding meansieXerted against the clampingv 2. In a threadfcutterandclamp foraweft. replenishing,loomiliaving :a shuttle feeler;

member between the supporting elements tov hold said clampingimemberagainst the piv-l otedcutter to clamp ay thread.

[.'flntathre'ad cutter and clamp fora weft replenishing loom havin'gvashuttle vfeeler pivotedabove and behindtheA lay'when the latter lis inits forward position'aiid havingv al cutting edge stationary withrespect tol the shuttle vfeeler,'a pivoted cutter having a-cuttingedge-to cooperate withthe aforesaid cutting edge, and means to. causerelative movement. between the cuttery andthe cutting 'edge as the.shuttle feeler moves .toward and fromV sliuttlefeeling position, a'thread clamping member adjacent the pivoted cutter and having 1aypor-tioii to be engaged by the pivoted cutt'erfas the'latter has acutting motion to clamp a thread, a pair ofspaced supports eX-Atendingfreely. through the clamping member, that portion of the pivotedcutter whichengages the .clamping member beingintermediate saidsuppo,rts, fandply'ielding means exerting a force against the clampingmember between said supports tending to hold said clamp against thepivoted cutter.

6. In a thread cutter and clamp for a weft replenishing loom having ashuttle feeler pivoted above and' behind the lay when the latter is inits forward position and having a cuttinof edge stationary with respectto the shuttle eeler, a pivoted cutter to cooperate with the aforesaidcutting edge, and means to cause relative movement between the cutterand the cutting -edge as the shuttle feeler moves toward and fromshuttle feeling position, a thread clamping member adjacent t-he pivotedcutter and having a portion to be engaged by the pivoted cutter as thelatter has a cutting motion to clamp a thread, a pair of spaced supportsextendingfreely through the clamping member, that portion of the pivotedcutter which engages the clamping member being intermediatesaidsupports, yielding means exerting a force against the clamping memberbetween said supports tending to hold said clamp against the pivotedcutter, the supports having clamping member engaging portions lying atdifferent distances from the face ofthe pivoted cutter which engagestheclamping member so that the latter is normally disposed obliquelywith respect tothe pivoted cutter.

` 7. In a thread cutter and clamp for a weft replenishing loom having ashuttle feeler pivoted above and behind the lay when the latter is inits forward position and having f a cutting edge stationary. withrespect to the shuttle feeler, a pivoted cutter to cooperate with theaforesaid cutting edge, and means to cause relative movement between thecutter and the cuttingy edge as the shuttle feeler moves toward and fromshuttle feeling position, a threadl clamping member located adjacent thepivoted cutter, a stud forming a pivot for the pivoted cutter extendingfreely through one portion of the clamping member and secured to theshuttle feeler, a second stud secured to the shuttle feeler spaced fromthe rst named stud and extending freely through another portion of theclamping member and having a shoulder to limit movement of the clampingmember toward the pivoted cutter, and resilient means exerting a forceagainst the clamping member between said studs and holding the latteragainst the aforesaid shoulder, said shoulder being so placed that theclamping member is normally oblique with respect to the pivoted cutterand is moved against the action of said yielding means by the pivotedcutter as the latter has a cuttin movement to clamp the thread between te clamping member and the pivoted cutter.

8. In a combined filling thread cutter and clamp, a support, a cuttermounted on the support, a second cutter pivoted to the support andcooperating with the first named cutter to sever a thread, a clampingmember normally in contact with the pivoted cutter and held againstangular movement relatively to the support, means to support said clampso that the same is oblique with respect tothe pivoted cutter when thecutter is in open position, and yielding means to hold said clampingmember in said oblique position, a. movement of the pivoted cutter toclosing position engaging the clamp along a progressively moving pointof contact and moving said clamping member so that when the cutter is inclosed position said clamping member is substantially parallel to thepivoted cutter.

9. In a combined filling thread cutter and clamp, a support, a cuttermounted on the support, a second cutter pivoted to the support andcooperating with the first named cutter to sever a thread, a clampingmember normally in contact with the pivoted cutter and held againstangular movement relatively to the support, means to support said clampso that the same is oblique with respect to the pivoted cutter when thecutter is in open position, and yielding means to hold said clampingmember in said oblique position, a movement of the pivoted cutter to.closing position engaging the clamp along a. progressively moving pointof contact and moving said clamping member so that when the cutter is inclosed position said clamping member is substantially parallel to thepivoted cutter, and spaced support-s for said clamping member, saidresilient means applying a force between said supports.

10. In a thread cutter and clamp for a weft replenishing loom, asupport, a cutter fixed relatively to the support, a clamping membersupported by and held against angular movement relatively to thesupport, a pivoted cutter to cooperate with the first named cutterlocated between the latter and the clamp, and two separate resilientelements both of which tend to push the pivoted cutter against the fixedcutter and only one of which tends to push the clamp against the pivotedcutter.

l1. In a thread cutter and clamp for a weft replenishing loom, asupport, a cutter fixed relatively to the support, a clamping membersupported by and held against angular movement relatively to thesupport, a pivoted cutter to cooperate with the first named cutterlocated between the latter and the clamp, said clamp having an openingtherethrough, and a pair of resilient ele ments one of which exerts itsforce through the opening in the clamp, both of said resilient elementsacting to force the pivoted cutter against the fixed cutter and only oneof said elements acting to force the clamp against the pivoted cutter.

12. A clamping element for a loom thread cutting and clamping unit, saidelement belll) ing relatively thin and having smooth fiat substantiallyparallel opposite sides, the edges of the element adjacent one endconverging, said converging edges being symmetrically disposed about theaxis of the eiement, and said element having a pair of spaced supportreceiving openings lying on the axis of the element and extending fromone fiat side through the element to the other side.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto aiixed our signatures.

OSCAR V. PAYNE. RICHARD G. TURNER.

